NBA News: San Antonio without Tim Duncan for a few games - Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich likes to rest his veterans this time of year to make sure they're fresh for the playoffs. Popovich just had Tim Duncan sit out a game which was part of the plan -- an injury is not.

Tim Duncan sprained his left ankle against the Golden State Warriors on Monday and could miss about two weeks to let it completely heal. Service plays

The Spurs have a seven-game lead on the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference and they should still be ahead when Duncan returns.

"We can win without Timmy in the rest of the regular season and get that top seed," Tony Parker told the San Antonio Express-News. "But we're not going anywhere in the playoffs without him."

Rookie Tiago Splitter started when Duncan sat out Saturday's game and he is expected to have that role until Duncan is activated. The rookie needs time on the floor so this is a good opportunity for him, although he wishes it wasn't due to an injury. Sports Picks

"I don't like to play more because somebody got injured," Splitter said. "But it's good for me to play and for my teammates to gain confidence in me."